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General Weight Loss Tips

Self Plan

self april 2012 carrie underwood Self Plan

I do love magazines, I’m not gonna lie. I know the models are airbrushed and unrealistic, the information is regurgitated, but that doesn’t stop me from picking them up on occasion as a treat. I haven’t read Self in a really long time, and in a fit of needing inspiration I bought this, Health and Fitness when I was in WV the weekend before last.

I do find inspiration in them, just having them around the house, in the bathroom (haha I know) or the coffee table, it’s like a reminder of what I’m doing. Where I want to be.

Anyhow, the point of this is to share with you that the April issue of Self has (in my opinion) a really good and realistic weight loss plan.  I’ve tried a lot of diets in my pre and post blog. Some that require counting calories or restricting carbs and they all work, it’s just about consistency and for me, the more down to earth it is, the more likely I am to stick with it. As soon as I decide I can’t have something for the sake of weight loss, that’s all I want. Even if I don’t really want it.

The Drop 10 (and more, they talk about losing more weight) is pretty straightforward: 1,600 calories a day, with a 200 calorie treat a day that can be carried over to other days when you may need them more (like plus points with weight watchers), the only catch is that you can only stack 800 together at a time. So say, you are planning to go out for a celebration this coming weekend you can use up to 2,400 at one time and still lose weight.

They also provide a daily exercise plan, recipes and a check off list to keep track of your progress. And for those wondering, I wasn’t paid or asked to promote this magazine or plan, I just really liked how simple and doable it is. I think having structure with the principles of Brain Over Binge (breaking bad habits) will be a winning combination.

I’m traveling to WV again this weekend for a baby shower and plan to save some of my extra calories this week for that.

Today’s breakfast:

One Ezekiel cinnamon raisin english muffin with less than 1 T butter, 1 T cacao (cacao!) bliss and a cup of strawberries: 367 calories

4 16 12breakfast Self Plan

 

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Weight Loss Exercise

10 Easy Ways to Lose Weight


Many people are skeptical when someone talks about easy ways to lose weight. For most of us, losing extra weight is one of the hardest things to do. It takes a lot of willpower, motivation, and hard work to achieve a trim and toned body. This may be true but there are ways to help you shed pounds painlessly. The secret to a successful weight loss program is to make small lifestyle changes that reduce your caloric intake and increase your physical activity. Here are 10 easy ways to help you lose weight and keep it off permanently

Easy Ways to Lose Weight

10 Easy Ways to Lose Weight

Easy Ways to Lose Weight

Eat more fruits and vegetables – Fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrition but low in calories. If you want to lose weight easily, substitute high-calorie foods with fruits and vegetables. Don’t make the mistake of eating fruits or vegetables in addition to what you usually eat. It will only add more calories and make you gain weight. So instead of having a doughnut for your snack, eat an apple or a cup of carrot sticks.

Stop drinking high-calorie beverages – Carbonated drinks, sweetened fruit juices, and alcoholic drinks deliver calories that you may not even be aware of. Even your morning latte can pack a whopping 200 calories. If you’re thirsty, drink water instead.

Keep a food journal – Keep a small notebook where you write down everything you eat for the day. Use the journal to help you control your caloric intake for the day. Studies have shown that people who maintain a food journal are more likely to consume fewer calories than those who don’t.

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Control portion size – Find out the correct portion size for different kinds of foods and don’t eat more than you should. Use a smaller plate to help you control your portions.

Eat more slowly – It takes up to 20 minutes for the brain to recognize that your body is full. If you eat too quickly, your stomach may already be full but you’ll still want to eat. Put your fork down between bites and chew your food properly. This is an easy way to keep you from over-eating so you can lose weight.

Walk every day – Get into the habit of walking every day to help burn calories and reduce body fat. Even a 15-minute or 30-minute walk will help you lose weight over time.

Get active – Just because you’re watching television does not mean you can’t burn more calories. During commercial breaks, try doing crunches, stretching, or lifting dumbbells.

Walk or bike to your destination – Consider biking or walking to your destination instead of driving, especially if it’s only a few blocks away. You’ll save on gas, help protect the environment, and have a healthier body too.

Take the stairs – Instead of the elevator, walk up (or down) the stairs. You can burn a lot of calories this way. Best of all, you’ll improve your cardiovascular health. While you’re at it, complete your tasks while standing or walking instead of sitting all the time.

Do strength training – Strength training is an easy way to lose weight. The muscles you build will allow your body to burn more calories even when you are resting.

These easy ways to lose weight should get you started. Once you are moving well and eating right you will start to pick up even moreeasy ways to lose weight

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8 Simple Steps to Lose Weight

Everyone is looking for the Steps to lose weight. It is a well-known fact that diets are not effective for permanent weight loss. Fad diets may help you lose weight initially but when you reach your ideal weight and end your diet, the pounds you lost often come back with a vengeance. Losing weight takes discipline and hard work but it all boils down to how much you eat and how much you exercise.

There are simple steps you can take to lose weight. If you follow these steps to lose weight religiously, you’ll be able to achieve your goal and keep your body trim and toned.

Steps to Lose Weight

8 Simple Steps to Lose Weight

Steps to Lose Weight

1. Find time to exercise regularly – If you can, make it a point to workout every day. Walk, jog, bike or swim for at least 30 minutes a day. Get your heart rate going with cardio exercise and burn more calories. Strength training is also necessary to develop muscle mass and tone your body.

2. Be sure to eat a healthy breakfast – Never skip breakfast because it is the most important meal of the day. A good breakfast provides the nutrients and energy you need to get your work done all morning. It also jump starts your metabolism and helps you burn more calories throughout the day. Include protein and some amount of fat in your morning meal. You will feel full longer and avoid over-eating later in the day.

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3. Keep a record of everything you eat – A food journal helps you keep track of how much food you are actually eating. Studies show that people who record their caloric intake consume up to 15% less calories than people who don’t. At the very least, keeping track of your progress will help you stick to your weight loss program.

4. Plan your meals ahead of time – This simple step to lose weight can make or break your weight loss program. Having a meal plan ensures that you are able to consume only the amount of calories allotted for the day. If you have no idea what you’re going to eat for your next meal you’re likely to eat anything you can lay your hands on, and there’s no guarantee that it will be healthy and low-calorie.

5. Control food portions – Make sure you know how much is in one serving of a particular food. By controlling food portions, you will also control the number of calories you consume. This is a simple yet effective step to lose weight.

6. Cut out carbonated drinks and high-calorie beverages – Soft drinks contain a lot of sugar and can make you fat, so eliminate or reduce your intake of carbonated drinks. High-calorie beverages such as sweetened fruit juices, milkshakes, lattes and alcoholic drinks should also be avoided if you want to lose weight quickly.

7. Drink plenty of water – The body needs water for proper metabolism. Drink a glass of water before each meal to help you feel full more quickly and avoid eating too much.

8. Eat wholesome and natural foods – Choose foods that are fresh and as close to their natural state as possible. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, beans, nuts and seeds. Foods that are unprocessed contain more nutrients and fiber to fill you up without adding too many calories to your diet, thus helping you to lose weight.

Following these steps to lose weight will help you to lose weight consistently and easily.

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